 I recently celebrated a rather alarming milestone birthday and really felt the need to do something different. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the usual catered bash at home or at a hired venue but my hedonistic side felt the need to drag the occasion out a bit longer than just one night!
So after a bit of investigation I discovered the most fabulous farm in Elands Bay called Vensterklip. Now usually I wouldn't mention such a thing as this site is all about eating in, but this place offers self catering accommodation and the sexiest camp sites ever, and that, at least in my books, counts for eating in… just not in your own home.
I won't bore you with the details of my party, for indeed the kind and more than able folk at Ventersklip did all the cooking (think heavenly free range lamb from a neighbouring farmer, fresh herbs, crisp garden salads and the crustiest, most delicious sour dough bread hot from the oven). But having now been there on more than one occasion I thought I'd share with you the idea of holidaying up the West Coast in the Sandveld. There's kayaking and fishing in Verloren Vlei (of course you can cook what you catch), there's oodles of crayfish when the season starts (sadly it's a while ‘til the November kick-off, but it's useful information to have), and there are birds galore - these strictly for viewing not eating. You can surf or do a bit of saltwater fishing and after that head back to your camp site which not only has a spectacular view of the vlei but a bathroom, kitchenette and electricity too. Or opt for a beautifully appointed cottage (complete with crisp cotton white linen) and get cooking.
Obviously this is not the only place of its kind in our gorgeous country, but the idea I'm hoping to get across is one of exploration. The hunter-gatherer idea - hit the road, meet the people, find the food and cook it yourself. Few things are quite as rewarding.
Happy travels!
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 Voting is open online for the Eat In/RMB Private Bank South African Produce Awards and just by 'doing your bit' you stand the chance to win a fantastic stainless steel pasta pot from Le Creuset.
Who doesn't want that in their kitchen?
So when you are next out and about and come across something or someone
fabulous who
you think deserves an award - write it down and take time to nominate them on our website, in any or all of the categories.
 For the awards to be truly successful we need to cover as many bases and regions as possible and we can't do it without you. Your nomination will remain confidential and you can even vote for yourself!
Take time to read the instructions on how to vote as we have changed the format slightly this year.
Tell us how you take your coffee and win!
“I have measured out my life with coffee spoons” TS ELIOT
 We know that as passionate foodies you are as passionate about that special cup of coffee at the end of a satisfying meal.
So please share some of your coffee habits with us by completing the short survey before 21 April 2008, and you could win one of 20 hampers of delicious Lavazza coffee PLUS some beautiful coffee cups!
Click here to share your story |
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One of our winners from our 2007 Eat In RMB Private Bank Producer Awards is a fabulous woman who makes cheeses in the Eastern Cape. I am all for women power so we though we would kick off our winners features with fabulous Estelle du Preez, who makes the most divine cheddar and Boerenkaas on De Pekelaar Farm. She won the Small Producer Award 2008 dairy category for her gorgeous mature cheddar cheese and she is the definitive rose amongst the thorns of a male-dominated industry - we say "go girl!"
Estelle's Boerenkaas mini-pastries
 250gr fresh asparagus
25gr butter
2 free range eggs
1/2 cup (125 ml) cream (whipped)
150gr matured Boerenkaas
2 Tablespoons (30ml) flour
Salt and black pepper to taste
6 sheets shop-bought philo-pastry
24 muffin moulds
Pre-heat the oven 200°C. Fry asparagus for 5-10 min in butter. Drain and let cool. Whisk eggs and cream in a bowl and set aside. Add half the cheese and the flour to the egg mixture and add salt and pepper to taste - spoon egg mixture into mould on top of asparagus. Finish off with rest of Boerenkaas sprinkled on top.
Bake for 30-40 minutes to light brown and crispy.
Go to our Recipe and Fresh ideas sections for more fabulous ways to cook up a storm.
Win luxury cake forks
 This month we are giving away an
exquisite
set of luxury cake forks from Nicolson Russell . The 6 piece set of cake forks makes an elegant finish when entertaining, holding a meeting or simply enjoying friends company over a cup of tea. The set comes ready packed in a ‘gift box' which makes it an excellent gift for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions.
To win, send an email to eatin.web@newmediapub.co.za with “Nicolson Russell” in the Subject line.
About Nicolson Russel
The Ayutthaya collection is one of Nicolson Russell's most cherished discoveries. It comprises cutlery and tableware handmade from high-quality, solid 18/8 stainless steel.
Each piece is meticulously forged by the hands of craftsmen, using skills and techniques refined over the ages. The Collection is made from the highest
quality stainless steel from Japan, making it practical, dishwasher safe and made to last a life time.
The Ayutthaya Collection comprises designs that are inspired by nature and reflect the local villager's respect for our fragile and precious earth. The design of this set of cake forks is called Wisteria, named after the elegant and graceful vines of this delicate and beautiful plant.
We believe that these pieces will form part of some of your life's more memorable moments. |
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Meet some of the folk who make eating in all the better:
The Producers: Part 1 Hubert Verbizier, La Petite France
On the day Hubert Verbizier created the perfect camembert on his Hilton farm, he went surfing. Read the full story
The Producers: Part 2 Richard von Geusau, Von Geusau Chocolates
There aren't many people who can claim that a casual browse in a bookshop completely changed their lives. Read the full story |
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 Nicolson Russell designer cutlery
A village in Thailand, Aranyik, was renowned for its stainless steel swords in the Siam dynasty. Now it has diversified its products to include high-quality tableware, which reflects its legend and heritage.
Read More |
Get cooking @ Eleven!
There’s a brand new cooking school in Woodstock, Cape Town which has all the foodies buzzing. Eleven opened its doors toward the end of last year and offers a massive range of once-off classes.
Read more |
 Nederburg launches voluptuous maiden Chenin Blanc
Nederburg’s cellarmaster Razvan Macici has always had great faith in the depth and complexity of Chenin Blanc but wanted to wait until he had the right fruit to introduce the varietal to the range.
Read more… |
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Taste of Cape Town 2008
If you love eating out al fresco style and fancy sampling the fare of 16 of Cape Town’s top restaurants, get along to Taste of Cape Town from the 3rd to the 6th of April 2008. The festival, which promises to be the most exciting food and drink event of the year, has rounded up some of the cities most talented chefs, who will personally prepare and serve up sample sizes of their signature dishes.
More about the event
 Cape Town City Harvest Festival
To celebrate the glorious abundance of food, wine and lifestyle experiences available in Cape Town, Mandela Rhodes Place, Church Street Cape Town will again be hosting the City Harvest Festival.
Read more
Eikendal harvest celebration: a feast of family fun
Don a festive attitude and head for the Helderberg Winelands when Eikendal pays homage to the fruit of the vine with a vibrant Weintaufe Harvest Celebration, attracting a buzzing crowd of fun-loving families and friends on Sunday, 13 April 2008.
Read More
The Table of Peace & Unity
Set aside 27 April for South Africa's grandest gathering, the Table of Peace and Unity taking place in Cape Town, Tswane, Durban, Polokwane and Port
Elizabeth. More about the event…
More about the event
South African cheese festival
Allow the earthy scents of cheese to lure you to the country's major cheese event - the SA Cheese Festival which will be held from 25 to 28 April 2008 on the historic Bien Donné farm nestled in the Paarl countryside.
Read more |
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